Nigeria Human Rights Groups Waged War Against Renewed Witch-hunting

Nigeria Human Rights Groups Waged War Against Renewed Witch-hunting

A group of Nigerian and International Human Rights groups have called for support from people across the world to help put a stop to renewed witch-hunting in Cross River State, Nigeria. The call has come in response to the launch of a new crusade by renowned pastor – Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio – entitled “Witches on the Run”.

Ukpabio has received severe criticism in recent years for promoting the belief that children can be witches with evidence linking her church to horrific cases of child abuse in this region. In 2009 and 2010 she unsuccessfully sued child rights groups working to protect such children and sent her supporters to beat up human rights activist– Leo Igwe – when he organised a conference to raise awareness of these abuses.

Aside from preaching about the existence of child witches in her churches, Ukpabio has also produced a number of books and nollywood films on this issue. In one of her books, ‘Unveiling The Mysteries of Witchcraft’, she states that: “If a child under the age of two screams in the night, cries and is always feverish with deteriorating health he or she is a servant of Satan”.

According to Gary Foxcroft, Executive Director of the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN): “What Ukpabio fails to mention in her teachings is that such health symptoms are common in Southern Nigeria, which has high rates of malaria and other health challenges. Her latest crusade on this issue highlights her desire to continue to exploit the weak and vulnerable. We call upon people around the world to contact the Cross River State Government and urge them to take action to stop this latest witch-hunt.”

“Ultimately, her acts are illegal under section 216 of the Nigerian Criminal code. Yet so far there have been no interventions by the State or Police.”

I will contact the Cross River Government to urge them to take action against Helen Ukpabio and ask others I know to do the same, if 20 minutes of my life can put pressure on the Nigerian government to put her behind bars its definitely worth it to try.

Unfortunately, the best way to undermine this thing (I refuse to call it a human) in a region with such deeply entrenched mysticism is to fight woo with woo. The good guys need someone with charisma to have a ritual to free these “witches” and to claim that while some of these children are “witches” most children suspected of witchcraft are simply sick and need medical attention.

I think it’s important to point out the inaction on the government’s part makes them accomplices in this activity. Direct your disgust at them. Speak to them as if they are the ones doing it. She should be forgotten about, the Nigerian government is doing this to children by not doing their duty in upholding the law.

We have a similar belief. Surely everyone has seen a holy terror child on the bus. It just that we don’t punish them as severely.

I was living with a couple with a child about two years old. One day this child completely changed his personality and started ordering people about, and refusing to co-operate. His favourite word became “no”. I said to the mom, “We are going to have to do something about this. When he grows up he will be a monster.” She just laughed. “This is perfectly normal. It is called the Terrible Twos. Every child goes through it. They grow out of it naturally.”. I then felt embarrassed thinking that must have included me too.

I could imagine a primitive society ascribing it to temporary spirit possession.

I am confused. Isn’t this woman just doing what her ethics and morals guide her to do????

Wait a minute, you mean that when you are morally bound to act IN YOUR OWN MIND, you might be wrong and breaking the law to accomplish your own agenda is wrong? I’ve never heard such a thing before. No, wait…..

Again, if you gave her a lie detector test, she’d pass. She BELIEVES these kids are witches. She has her convictions, you know….

YES, she should BE convicted.

See, abusing children is WRONG, in this case, she is wrong on all fronts. I just can’t imagine proffering this message. She certainly should answer to some authority, somewhere in all this confusion, there has to be a person that will stand up.

She’s brought her show to Houston at least twice. The first time I wrote to the papers hoping they would do a piece on her. I probably didn’t have to. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle she’s apparently notorious even here, but people seek her advice anyway. If she comes back maybe a protest would help.

“If a child under the age of two screams in the night, cries and is always feverish with deteriorating health he or she is a servant of Satan”. – Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio –

…Cases documented by Basic Rights Counsel include ones where children have had a hot iron placed on them, oil poured
over them or have been forced to drink dangerous concoctions in order to drive the “witchcraft” out. Some cases
have led to the death of innocent children.

This woman is a Psychopath!

“What Ukpabio fails to mention in her teachings is that such health symptoms are common in Southern Nigeria,
which has high rates of malaria and other health challenges

Unfortunately, the best way to undermine this thing (I refuse to call it a human) in a region with such deeply entrenched mysticism is to fight woo with woo. The good guys need someone with charisma to have a ritual to free these “witches” and to claim that while some of these children are “witches”…

And then they can do a witch-test on Lady Ukpabio by binding her up and tossing her into the river to see if she sinks or floats. Remember, kids, if she sinks, she’s a witch.

If you respect it as a concept how do you go about telling people that there are no such things as witches. You can’t, you have to disrespect the concept itself.
This is why there is no progress on this issue and many others, even many atheists indulge in such incoherency of thought.